“I appreciate that the Governor continues to watch our state’s spending. I concur that even a mild recession will jeopardize the ability to balance the budget. However, California’s unfunded debts and deferred maintenance costs are growing. And the majority party is not addressing them. Where are the budget increases to address the state’s roads? Where is the leadership to address retiree pension and health care costs? Where is the fiscal discipline?

“We are on the cusp of a financial crisis and Sacramento cannot rely on tax and fee increases to address them, like the $10 vehicle registration fee increase of last year (which is a ‘pension tax’). California families deserve better.

“California already has the nation’s highest income, sales and second highest gas taxes. Our state spends three times the national average on maintenance per mile of roadway, yet our roads rank among the nation’s worst. When will the Governor actually make fixing roads a budget priority?

“The Governor must also be careful not to jeopardize federal funding for our counties and cities. California must plan for the future, work constructively with our federal partners in Washington, and prioritize strong leadership to address California’s more than $260 billion in unfunded liabilities and $80 billion in deferred road repairs.”